Donald Brown was just on NFLN

[WildBB]

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Like I said I'm not saying that he can't get better but many of the things that make him a good running back hinder him as a blocker. Guys like him are used to getting by with quickness and shiftiness.

He will get better blocking. Emmitt did ok blocking and he was the same size. Tiki Barber was an awsome third down back.
He (Brown) can also be an equal threat as an outlet as he is a good reciever out of the backfield, which also is a big factor reguarding the pass rush. I like his all around game and superior "can do" attitude.

I look at a guy like Shonn Greene who is the same height but 25 lbs heavier and much more physical and a much better blocker in the passing game as a player I like.

I'm not saying that pass blocking is the #1 criteria for drafting a running back but it one of the things that should be considered.

It can limit a team when the back isn't a very good pass blocker. Like I said I noticed we were pretty much only running the ball when Hightower was in the game early last year.

With a player like Greene the defense has no clue if your running or passing. The guy is a big back that will draw defenders to the line of scrimmage because he can pound out 4-5 yards on a fairly consistant basis. But he also is able to effectively handle larger players coming off the edge in the passing game. It just makes it harder for defenses to diagnose what the offense will be doing.

I just don't see Greene in for passing downs. Don't see it. He hasn't caught the ball in college. He would assume the same role that you said you didn't like with Hightower in that we'd pretty much be pounding it when he's in there. I prefer HT for that role because he's more explosive and can turn some big gainers.

 

[lauraw]

I like him alot, would rather have wells or moreno but definitely feel he's worth #31

 

[Shogun]

I look at a guy like Shonn Greene who is the same height but 25 lbs heavier and much more physical and a much better blocker in the passing game as a player I like.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I disagree. Brown could get better no doubt but he just lacks the size to ever be a truely effective blocker.

Hightower is just a little bigger more physical type of player who has a chance to be a decent blocker. I also thought he hurt us at the beginning of last year because it became apparent after a while that we were running the ball when ever he was in the game.

Like I said I'm not saying that he can't get better but many of the things that make him a good running back hinder him as a blocker. Guys like him are used to getting by with quickness and shiftiness.

I look at a guy like Shonn Greene who is the same height but 25 lbs heavier and much more physical and a much better blocker in the passing game as a player I like.

I'm not saying that pass blocking is the #1 criteria for drafting a running back but it one of the things that should be considered.

It can limit a team when the back isn't a very good pass blocker. Like I said I noticed we were pretty much only running the ball when Hightower was in the game early last year.

With a player like Greene the defense has no clue if your running or passing. The guy is a big back that will draw defenders to the line of scrimmage because he can pound out 4-5 yards on a fairly consistant basis. But he also is able to effectively handle larger players coming off the edge in the passing game. It just makes it harder for defenses to diagnose what the offense will be doing.

Like I said it's not the only factor but one among many.

Pretty much every word of that is nonsense. We aren't drafting the guy to play OT. We want him to run, catch and SLOW DOWN rushers. He is plenty big enough for that.

Trying to use Shonn Greene as an example or better option is comical.

 

[earthsci]

I don't know. I don't see it in him. I watch that video and I see someone slipping out of tackles and juking the defenders only to gain a few yards. When he gets to the NFL he is going to get blown up on those plays IMO. He doesn't look like he is outrunning anyone. Just my opinion. I hope that if we draft him I'm shown to be wrong. It won't be the first time. I though DRC was going to be a bust and I thought that Andre Woolfolk (first round pick for the Titans in 2003) was going to be a HUGE star.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I don't know. I don't see it in him. I watch that video and I see someone slipping out of tackles and juking the defenders only to gain a few yards. When he gets to the NFL he is going to get blown up on those plays IMO. He doesn't look like he is outrunning anyone. Just my opinion. I hope that if we draft him I'm shown to be wrong. It won't be the first time. I though DRC was going to be a bust and I thought that Andre Woolfolk (first round pick for the Titans in 2003) was going to be a HUGE star.

I thought Branch was going to be a star.

 

[earthsci]

I thought Branch was going to be a star.

Let's hope that he will be still. Not for lack of talent. Watson saw the light.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

i found the thing that bothers me about Brown. Look at his highlights and there are very few long, breakaway TD runs. Sure he had one against Rhode Island or Buffalo but he doesn't show gamebreaking speed. There are a couple of runs where he is caught from behind. To me, his highlight film looks very to similr to what we have in Hightower. He may have run a faster 40 at the combine but you don't see Wells, or Moreno, getting caught when they get out in front of the defense. I now officially say no(please forward to Steve Keim ) to Donald Brown. He brings nothing new to the offense that we don't already in our current #34.

Of course there could be some long runs out there that i haven't seen but so far, i pass.

 

[perivolaki]

Pretty much every word of that is nonsense. We aren't drafting the guy to play OT. We want him to run, catch and SLOW DOWN rushers. He is plenty big enough for that.

Trying to use Shonn Greene as an example or better option is comical.

Well you can think it's comical but I think Greene will be an effective ball carrier in the NFL.

I don't think Greene is a great blocker either it's just that with his size he has a chance.

Again I didn't say it was the #1 reason but that it was part of the evaluation.

I admit I like a bigger back for a variety of reasons and pass blocking is just one.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Well you can think it's comical but I think Greene will be an effective ball carrier in the NFL.

We were talking about who the better blocker was, not ball carrier. While we're at that let me just say thta Greene will not even be on the field during passing downs because he is no threat to catch the ball as of yet.

I don't think Greene is a great blocker either it's just that with his size he has a chance.

Again I didn't say it was the #1 reason but that it was part of the evaluation.

I admit I like a bigger back for a variety of reasons and pass blocking is just one.

Not trying to be rude here, but have you ever played football?

 

[perivolaki]

We were talking about who the better blocker was, not ball carrier. While we're at that let me just say thta Greene will not even be on the field during passing downs because he is no threat to catch the ball as of yet.


Not trying to be rude here, but have you ever played football?

I have played football and you are rude.

I was talking about blocking being part of the evaluation. Do you think Brown will be a better blocker than Greene?

I said I like Brown but I have some concerns.

I also don't think it really matters about Brownbecause I don't think we use our first pick on a running back. I think it will be a linebacker/pass rusher.

Do you think it is a coincidence that we had both Larry English and Shonn Greene in for visits?

Like I said I think pass rusher with the first pick running back with the second.

 

[Mulli]

MD, did you just go Uncle Rico again?

 

[Hypothesis]

I disagree. Brown could get better no doubt but he just lacks the size to ever be a truely effective blocker.

Hightower is just a little bigger more physical type of player who has a chance to be a decent blocker. I also thought he hurt us at the beginning of last year because it became apparent after a while that we were running the ball when ever he was in the game.

Like I said I'm not saying that he can't get better but many of the things that make him a good running back hinder him as a blocker. Guys like him are used to getting by with quickness and shiftiness.

I look at a guy like Shonn Greene who is the same height but 25 lbs heavier and much more physical and a much better blocker in the passing game as a player I like.

I'm not saying that pass blocking is the #1 criteria for drafting a running back but it one of the things that should be considered.

It can limit a team when the back isn't a very good pass blocker. Like I said I noticed we were pretty much only running the ball when Hightower was in the game early last year.

With a player like Greene the defense has no clue if your running or passing. The guy is a big back that will draw defenders to the line of scrimmage because he can pound out 4-5 yards on a fairly consistant basis. But he also is able to effectively handle larger players coming off the edge in the passing game. It just makes it harder for defenses to diagnose what the offense will be doing.

Like I said it's not the only factor but one among many.

Sorry, I see Greene as being a worse blocker than Brown. Greene isn't going to get bowled over easily, but the faster LB's are going to destroy Greene off the edges.

 

[perivolaki]

Sorry, I see Greene as being a worse blocker than Brown. Greene isn't going to get bowled over easily, but the faster LB's are going to destroy Greene off the edges.

Maybe, but I think he stands a chance.

In response to cardsfanmd and if I played football the funny thing is that I played what we now call a hybrid DE/OLB.

Just from my experience I would say smaller quicker guys were red meat. They might be in position but when you have 40-50 lbs on the guy it just doesn't really matter.

I obviously haven't played on this level but I've sacked the running back and quarterback together by just overwhelming the back. All other things being equal I'd much rather face the smaller quicker guy than someone close to my own size that is much harder to overwhelm physically.

I know many disagree but thats why they call it opinion.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The people who are hating on Brown havent watched enough tape on the guy. I am looking at you Cbus.

I watched about 3 full games and he had 2-3 50+ yard runs. You have to be careful what you watch for in these videos. Becasue he got caught from behind doesn't mean much unless its a chronic thing. Otherwise that could just be the angles taken by the defender.

But thats my opinion. I am convinced he has the goods.

And no I am not worried about his blocking. He has shown balance, leverage, intelligence, and willingness. Thats what it takes. Thats why Edge is a better pass blocker then a big guy like Jerome Bettis.

And its only an issue if he is straight HORRIBLE at it and gets your QB killed a couple times a game. Again I just don't see it.

Besides for the near future if Brown is the pick - don't you all se HT being the guy on third and long. He made some very nice catch and run plays and I would have him in there for those situations.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I thought Branch was going to be a star.

I sure as hell didn't think so.

 

[perivolaki]

The people who are hating on Brown havent watched enough tape on the guy. I am looking at you Cbus.

I watched about 3 full games and he had 2-3 50+ yard runs. You have to be careful what you watch for in these videos. Becasue he got caught from behind doesn't mean much unless its a chronic thing. Otherwise that could just be the angles taken by the defender.

But thats my opinion. I am convinced he has the goods.

And no I am not worried about his blocking. He has shown balance, leverage, intelligence, and willingness. Thats what it takes. Thats why Edge is a better pass blocker then a big guy like Jerome Bettis.

And its only an issue if he is straight HORRIBLE at it and gets your QB killed a couple times a game. Again I just don't see it.

Besides for the near future if Brown is the pick - don't you all se HT being the guy on third and long. He made some very nice catch and run plays and I would have him in there for those situations.

I just want to say that I don't dislike Brown. I think he will be a good back and wouldn't have a problem with him being a Cardinal. The discussion was just on some of his negatives and every back has some.

I do prefer bigger backs but I don't have anything against Brown at all.

As far as blocking it does take more than just willingness. I saw Edge get overwhelmed several times this season by rushers. But of course that can happen to the best of running backs.

The funny thing about your statement about TH catching the ball out of the backfield on third downs is that when we drafted him I don't think many people on this board thought that he would excel in that area.

It just reminds me about how little we really know about if, or how, these players will do in the NFL. There was much outrage on this board when TH was the only back selected last year.

 

[Zeno]

I disagree. Brown could get better no doubt but he just lacks the size to ever be a truely effective blocker.

Emmitt Smith was 5-9 207 and one of the best pass blocking RBs during his time in the NFL. Marshall Faulk was 5-10 211, nobody ever questioned his pass blocking ability either....a RB that size can block if he knows how to and truly wants to.

 

[Zeno]

The funny thing about your statement about TH catching the ball out of the backfield on third downs is that when we drafted him I don't think many people on this board thought that he would excel in that area.

It just reminds me about how little we really know about if, or how, these players will do in the NFL. There was much outrage on this board when TH was the only back selected last year.

Hightower had over 100 receptions in his 4 yrs in College, him being a good receiver out of the backfield shouldn't have come as a shock to anyone. The tape said he could catch the biggest question people had about him was his level of competition.

 

[perivolaki]

Hightower had over 100 receptions in his 4 yrs in College, him being a good receiver out of the backfield shouldn't have come as a shock to anyone. The tape said he could catch the biggest question people had about him was his level of competition.

I agree. I just don't remember many posters here being all that thrilled with anything TH brought to the table, least of all his pass catching ability.

 

[cardpa]

From watching the video Brown seems quick to the hole. He does not seem to have game breaking speed. Good speed but not great speed. He does not seem to go down on first contact. The real question is if Brown is too similar to Hightower and does Whiz want a breakaway back who can take it to the house when he breaks into the open. Brown is not that kind of back.

 

[Feeble Mcjackson]

i watched all the video nfl.com had on the kid and i was left impressed. I came away thinking if anything the kid will work his tail off and should contribute right away.

 

[perivolaki]

i watched all the video nfl.com had on the kid and i was left impressed. I came away thinking if anything the kid will work his tail off and should contribute right away.

There is no doubt that he would contribute and I think his work ethic is unquestioned. He would be a good pick.